Excursion tendering questions

[cruisecriticthrowaway]

Golden Princess going Tasmania on 31st of March and we don't book any tour:

 

For ports requires tendering - is there any fee to get off and/or return to the ship ?

[SadieN]

No extra fee for using the ship's tender.

[SewMuch]

Eek! Please don't give them any ideas for more ways to make money!

But to answer your question, tenders are free.

[cruisecriticthrowaway]

Thanks for answering folks - wow you guys are quick !

 

Do they have like a schedule for tendering trips ?

 

Like several times within the day ?

 

*ps: apologies for newbie questions - totally new here.

Edited March 14, 2017 by cruisecriticthrowaway
added ps

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for answering folks - wow you guys are quick !

 

Do they have like a schedule for tendering trips ?

 

Like several times within the day ?

 

*ps: apologies for newbie questions - totally new here.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic. No problem ask away!!

 

No schedule, they run continuously while there.

 

Check the signage at the gangway on your way out and also listed in the daily newsletter "the Patter".

It will have the ship sailing time and the last tender time to return to the ship!!

Make sure to take note.

Also a sign posted on the pier where you catch the tender back with last tender time.

We take a photo of it, even at regular docking ports.

[Pam in CA]

The first tenders are reserved for those on Princess tours plus a few independent passengers. The tenders will probably start about half an hour to 45 minutes after arrival as it takes time to lower the tenders, send a tender ashore to set up the arrival dock and lower the tender platform on the ship. The local authorities have to board and approve disembarkation.

 

If you have an independent tour or just plan to go ashore on your own, plan to be at where tender tickets are being distributed as early as possible. Your entire group must be there to get tender tickets; you can't get them for someone not physically there.

 

After about three hours, tender tickets are no longer needed to go ashore. There'll be an announcement.

 

When returning back to the ship, the last tender leaves shore about an hour before sailing. Plan on at least another half an hour to allow for delays.

 

I was just on a 4-day cruise and people were late getting back to the ship. They were very lucky as the Captain waited for them but often, he doesn't have the option due to tides and pilot availability.